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Mavericks' Nerlens Noel: Lost season

by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire

Noel average 4.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists over 30 games played with Dallas during the 2017-18 NBA season.

Noel had a lost season as he only appeared in 30 games and saw his points, rebounds, assists, blocks and just about every other statistical category decline from last year. Once considered a highly-skilled prospect coming out of Kentucky, Noel hasn't been able to live up to expectations as he is averaging a career 9.3 points with 5.6 rebounds with two different teams in four years. The 23-year-old center will be a free agent this July and many consider his time with the Mavericks to be over.

Noel has been suspended five games for violating the NBA's anti-drug program, Shams Charanita of Yahoo Sports reports.

This is the cherry on top of what's been essentially a lost season for Noel, who's played in only 30 games amid off-the-court issues and nagging injuries. The 23-year-old has likely played his final game in a Mavs uniform, as he'll miss the last five games of the regular season before hitting free agency this summer.

Noel scored four points (2-2 FG) while adding 12 rebounds, an assist and a block in 25 minutes off the bench during Friday's 93-92 loss to the Timberwolves.

It's the second time in the last three games Noel has pulled down a dozen boards, and he finished up March averaging 8.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks -- and a weak 5.5 points per game. Until his offensive game catches up with the rest of his skill set, Noel's fantasy value will remain spotty at best.

Noel (rest) contributed five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and one steal across 20 minutes in Wednesday's 103-93 loss to the Lakers.

Noel was back in action after a rest day Tuesday and was typically solid on the boards. Rebounds continue to be Noel's most consistent source of fantasy production, although he's certainly capable of a double-digit scoring total any time he sees sufficient minutes. The 23-year-old may be rested on a couple of more occasions during what's left of the season, realistically limiting his fantasy value to DFS formats.

Noel will be available for Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Dwain Price of the Mavericks' official site reports.

Noel sat out the front end of the Mavericks' back-to-back set Tuesday in Sacramento for maintenance purposes, but he should be ready for a 20-plus-minute workload Wednesday. The big man submitted his second double-double of the season in his last outing Saturday against the Hornets and will have a good shot at repeating the performance if his main competition for playing time at center, Dwight Powell (knee), is sidelined for a second straight contest.